ZDR3 Newsletter: Oct. 2025 - Atlantic storm season is almost over!

Atlantic Storm Season

Zoological facilities in hurricane-prone areas have every reason to dread storm season. Last year, ZDR3 responded to two ZDR3 Network member facilities in Florida that suffered hurricane damage. Here’s a look back at those responses—and a peek at their plans for the future.

Peace River Wildlife Center

Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused unprecedented flooding and extensive damage to Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, FL. Helping PRWC was a labor of love for ZDR3 Network responders, including those from Fort Worth Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, Zoofari Parks, Keystone Safari/Living Treasures Wild Animal Parks, Big Cat Habitat, Garden Bros Circus, Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Endangered Primate Foundation. Read about PRWC’s recovery and exciting future.

Rendering of the new PRWC Education Center coming next year!

Lemur Conservation Foundation

Hurricane Milton damaged forest habitats at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka, FL. ZDR3 Network responders from Fort Worth Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, and Myakka Elephant Ranch soon arrived with heavy equipment and chainsaws. What they accomplished in days would have taken LCF’s small staff months to accomplish. Read more.

New, strengthened indoor housing is being developed for the lemurs at LCF.

Connecting at Conferences

Our staff enjoyed meeting many of you at conferences this fall!

San Antonio Zoo's Disaster Response Team graciously set up their disaster response trailer, which has been outfitted specifically for response work. Conference attendees had the opportunity to meet multiple SAZ team members, better understand what it is like to respond, and gather ideas for how to prepare for deployment with ZDR3.

In early October, we attended the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) Annual Conference in San Antonio, where ZDR3 Director Julia Wilder, and Operations Manager Cari Wittenborn presented “Disaster is a Moving Target: Updates from ZDR3.” Our former intern, now part-time staffperson, Konnor Roberts, beautifully captured his experience as a first-time zoological conference attendee in a blog post.

Later that week, Julia was awarded ZAA’s Young Professional of the Year Award.

L to R: Dr. Kelly George, ZAA Executive Director; Julia Wilder, ZDR3 Executive Director; and Betsey Brewer Bethel, ZAA Board Chair

Cari then headed to the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) National Conference in Phoenix, where she presented “Safeguarding Species and Self: A Zoo Keeper’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Response” and led a tabletop exercise.

AAZK National Conference attendees participating in the ZDR3 Tabletop Exercise.

In early November, Julia made a virtual presentation—“Exploring the Registrar’s Role in Disaster Preparedness”— to the attendees at the Zoological Registrar’s Association (ZRA) Annual Conference.

We learn so much from talking to you. And we hope you learned a few things from us, too!

Indianapolis AAZK Chapter
Shares the Love with ZDR3

We appreciate ongoing support from the Indianapolis AAZK Chapter!

Throughout the year the members host events to raise funds for worthy causes related to animal conservation and/or rescue. For their “Share the Love Bake Sale,” AAZK members and zoo volunteers donate homemade baked goods, which they sell to staff members. During this event, they raised $1,200, which they are donating to ZDR3!

The Indianapolis AAZK Chapter has donated their Share the Love proceeds to ZDR3 since 2023. Stephanie M. Baker, Plains and Carnivore Zookeeper at Indianapolis Zoo explains why: “We feel it is very important to support our colleagues in this field right here at home just as much as other causes in far off countries. We are stronger together, and what better way to ‘share the love’ than selling yummy baked goods to our coworkers to raise money for our neighbors in need?”

Thank You, ZDR3 Sponsors!

We are Stronger Together